The Domain Transfer Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Major Registrar

You bought a domain. Now what?

If both you and the seller use the same registrar, congratulations — you'll be done in five minutes via a "push." But most of the time, you'll need to perform a proper inter-registrar transfer using an EPP (Auth) code. The process takes 5–10 days, involves both registrars, and has a handful of subtle ways it can go wrong.

This guide walks through every step of every common scenario, with specific instructions for the five registrars most readers actually use: GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare Registrar, Squarespace Domains, and Porkbun .

Two Kinds of Transfer: Push vs. Inter-Registrar

Push (intra-registrar)

A "push" moves a domain between two accounts at the same registrar. It's instant, free, and requires only the buyer's account ID. The domain doesn't change DNS, nameservers, or anything technical — only the owning account.

Inter-registrar transfer (EPP / Auth code)

An inter-registrar transfer uses ICANN's standardized transfer protocol and takes 5–7 days end-to-end. You pay a transfer fee (~$10–$15 for .com) which adds one year to the domain's expiration.

Before You Begin: The Pre-Transfer Checklist

Domain is at least 60 days old since registration or last transfer. ICANN imposes a 60-day "transfer lock." No way around it.
Domain is unlocked at the source registrar.
WHOIS privacy is disabled at the source.
Admin email is current and accessible.
EPP / Auth code obtained.
Destination account ready.

The Universal Inter-Registrar Transfer Steps

Seller : unlock the domain.
Seller : disable WHOIS privacy (if applicable).
Seller : request the EPP code from the source registrar.
Seller : send the EPP code securely to buyer (or to escrow).
Buyer : initiate transfer at the destination registrar, paste the EPP code, pay the transfer fee.
Source registrar : emails the registrant to confirm.
Seller : clicks "approve" in that email (or waits 5 days for auto-approval).
Destination registrar : completes the transfer.
Buyer : relocks the domain, re-enables WHOIS privacy, sets DNS, enables auto-renew.

Source-Registrar-Specific Instructions

GoDaddy → anywhere

Go to My Products → Domains .
Find the domain → click the three dots → Settings .
Under "Additional Settings," find Domain Lock and toggle OFF.
Find Privacy and disable it.
Scroll to Transfer → click Get Authorization Code .

Namecheap → anywhere

Go to Domain List → click Manage .
On the Sharing & Transfer tab, set Lock to OFF.
Click Auth Code → Get Auth Code .

Cloudflare Registrar → anywhere

Go to Domain Registration → Manage Domains .
Click the domain → Configuration .
Toggle Transfer Lock to OFF.
Click Get Auth Code .

Squarespace Domains (formerly Google Domains) → anywhere

Sign in to Squarespace → Domains .
Click the domain → Domain Settings .
Disable Domain Lock .
Click Transfer Out → Get Authorization Code .

Porkbun → anywhere

Sign in → Domain Management .
Toggle Domain Locked OFF.
Click Auth Code .

Destination-Registrar-Specific Instructions

Transferring INTO GoDaddy

Go to Domains → Transfer Domains to GoDaddy .
Enter the domain name → Transfer .
Paste the EPP code, add to cart, pay.

Transferring INTO Namecheap

Go to Domains → Transfer .
Enter the domain → paste the EPP code, pay.

Transferring INTO Cloudflare Registrar

Add the domain to Cloudflare as a site first (free DNS plan).
Wait for nameservers to be active on Cloudflare DNS.
Go to the domain → Transfer tab.
Paste the EPP code → confirm.

Transferring INTO Porkbun

Go to Transfer Domains .
Enter the domain → paste EPP code → pay. Porkbun is among the cheapest for many TLDs.

Common Errors and How to Fix Them

"Domain is locked"

Source registrar didn't unlock. Cache propagation can take up to 30 minutes after toggling.

"Authorization code is invalid"

Extra space at the start or end of the code. Re-paste cleanly.
The code expired. Ask the seller to regenerate.
The code is for a different TLD or domain. Confirm exact spelling.

"Transfer rejected by losing registrar"

Reasons: lock still active, recent registration (<60 days), pending dispute, or unpaid balance on the source account.

"Domain not eligible — recently registered"

The 60-day ICANN lock applies. There is no override.

"Transfer awaiting registrant approval"

The seller didn't click the approval link. Most transfers auto-approve in 5 days regardless.

Special Cases

Transferring a .ai domain

The .ai TLD has 2-year minimum registrations. The transfer process is identical to .com.

Transferring a country-code TLD

Some ccTLDs (.de, .fr, .uk, .nl) have additional requirements like local presence or ID verification.

Transferring with active DNS / email

The transfer itself does not change DNS records. Your nameservers keep working throughout. Document your existing DNS records before transfer as a safety net.

The Post-Transfer Checklist

Re-lock the domain.
Re-enable WHOIS privacy (if applicable).
Enable auto-renew with a valid payment method.
Add a backup payment method.
Enable 2FA on the registrar account.
Update WHOIS contact info.
Verify nameservers point where you want.
Add the domain to your asset register.

Push Transfers: When and How

GoDaddy: "Account Change" — enter the buyer's GoDaddy customer number.
Namecheap: "Push Domain" — enter the buyer's Namecheap username.
Dynadot: "Push" — enter the buyer's Dynadot username.
Cloudflare: does not currently support intra-account push.

Push transfers carry a hidden risk: there's no escrow built in. Always combine a push with a marketplace or escrow service.

Scam Patterns to Watch For

"Send the EPP code first; I'll pay after." Never. Funds in escrow first, then EPP.
"Pay me directly via wire/crypto for a discount." Walk away.
"Use this fake escrow site I'll send you." Use only Escrow.com or your marketplace's built-in escrow.
"After the transfer, I need to undo it because of a tax issue." Domain reversal scams.

The Bottom Line

Most domain transfers complete in under a week with no drama, as long as both parties unlock, share the right code, and approve the email confirmation.

Buying a listing on our marketplace is simpler: availability is re-checked before payment, handover steps are emailed once the payment is confirmed, and if the name cannot be delivered you get a full refund.